NEW CASTLE Council approves worker contracts

City officials are moving forward with work on downtown revitalization.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- City council approved two one-year contracts with city workers.
Members of Laborer's International Union of North America Local 964 will receive 50-cent-per-hour increases, said John DiMuccio, city business administrator.
The union has two bargaining units that include 13 city clerical workers and 33 workers in the city public works and recreation department.
In other business, city council agreed to subdivide four lots and create a street for the new city high school.
School officials want to build a new campus-style school on property along East Lincoln Avenue and East Street and needed city approval before starting the project.
A new road stretching from Berger Place to East Street will be constructed to provide an emergency access route for homes located behind the school. As part of the new school building plan, a portion of Reis Street, currently the most direct access to those homes, is being closed.
Revitalization: City officials also moved forward with more work on the downtown revitalization plan.
They agreed to pay $80,000 to William D. Ponian for moving expenses for his business, a car repair garage, from Grant Street. Ponian is the tenant in a building that the city intends to demolish for a new park and parking lot. Ted Saad, assistant city solicitor, said the city is still negotiating with the building owner and has not come to an agreement for the property.
Council also hired two companies to demolish other buildings on Grant Street to make room for the park and parking lot.
Duane C. Hambrick Co. of New Castle will be paid $5,800 to demolish a building at 112-116 East Grant St., and Siegel Excavating of Edinburg will be paid $3,000 to demolish a structure at Grant Street and Apple Alley.